It’s hard enough writing an annual review which covers a single year – what to put in and what to leave out, and how best to bring to life the breadth of support we provide.

We wanted to use the opportunity to take a step back and reflect on the progress we have made over four decades, as well as to recognise how much more will need to be done over the next 40 years.

A lot has happened in 40 years, as you might expect. For United Response, the years have seen us grow from a tiny charity operating one house in West Sussex into one of the country’s largest social care providers. Where once we supported a few people with learning disabilities we now support thousands of people across the disability spectrum and beyond, including people with mental health needs, autism and physical disability.

Much more importantly, we have seen major strides forward for disabled people, particularly people with learning disabilities. Where once most people we support were told they couldn’t live in their own homes, have a job, get married, vote or live a normal life, now many are doing all of these things.

But there is still so much more to do. There are still profound challenges facing disabled people, such as poverty, bullying or a lack of understanding from the general public. Many are also understandably concerned about the impact of welfare reform, and fear financial hardship. We want to use our 40th anniversary to start to change that.

So, in Januarywe launched Easy News, which we believe is the first accessible newspaper for people with learning disabilities. Last month saw the launch of our “Postcards from the Edges” project which will run throughout the year. Postcards from the Edges is a creative project which aims to give a voice and a platform to anyone who cares about disability issues. Participants simply fill a blank postcard with drawings, photographs or words which express their views or tell the world something about their lives. We hope as many people as possible will spread the word and get involved – you can order a pack by emailing[email protected]or make a postcard at our dedicated new website,www.postcardsfromtheedges.org.uk

Moving forward, we will of course continue to campaign with and on behalf of the people we support until the rights and choices that others may take for granted are a reality for all.

Ahead of Wednesday’s Budget statement, the national disability charity, United Response, is calling on the Government to use this opportunity – the last before the General Election – to address the funding shortfall facing social care.

Back in December, the arts scene in York was enlightened with a poignant theatre production. The project was directed by United Response support worker and job coach, Matthew Wignall, and employed three people we support in dynamic front-of-house roles.

Who doesn’t need to be reminded of reasons to be happy? A team of talented people we support with learning disabilities, who run the social enterprise Always 4 UR Events, have created and launched their very own tea towel, which encapsulates their positivity through 19 hand-illustrated images depicting ‘Things That Make Me Happy’.

Gary has been a support worker with United Response for three years. He has cerebral palsy and, alongside his day job, actively competes in strongman competitions - proving that disability is no barrier to success.

Easy News is the first news magazine designed to be accessible for people with learning disabilities, aimed to encourage discussion around news stories and keep readers informed about the world around them. Read the latest issue here.

Become a support worker for United Response and help disabled people in their communities at home. You’ll help them cook, clean, pay bills, apply for jobs, make friends and a thousand things in between.

We work with young people and adults with a wide range of learning disabilities across England and Wales. To plan the right kind of support, we work closely with each individual and the people who are important to them. In this way, they get the support they want, in the way they want.

ROC (Robert Owen Communities) has Wellbeing services in Devon and Cornwall, which we can support you to attend. ROC’s Wellbeing services offers you the opportunity to learn new and exciting skills and gain accredited learning qualifications at the same time.